Chapter 285: The Obsessive Uchiha, High-Yield Crops Achieved!
After Shisui passed the most critical stage, Itachi also began the experiment to transplant the First Hokage's cells.
Compared to Shisui, Itachi's experiment went much more smoothly.
The benefits of youth became evident during this process.
Still, the overall procedure wasn't entirely without issues, as his heart rate fluctuated significantly in frequency and amplitude.
When the experiment concluded, Orochimaru went off to attend to other projects, leaving Haneda to manage the aftermath.
Haneda created a wood clone to assist Orochimaru with cultivating rice, wheat, mushrooms, and other crops. Meanwhile, his main body stayed in the lab to monitor Itachi and Shisui, ensuring no unexpected complications arose.
During this time, Kakashi, finding himself bored, joined Haneda's shadow clone at Training Ground Three for a sparring session.
By the end of two and a half days—still within the timeframe Shikaku had set—Itachi and Shisui had successfully begun the initial stages of cellular integration.
They would fully merge with the First Hokage's cells over time.
Shisui's vision, which had been impaired after the experiment, also gradually recovered.
That afternoon, after Orochimaru's final inspection confirmed no residual risks, Itachi and Shisui were given permission to leave the lab.
Looking at the time, Itachi realized it was almost time for Sasuke to finish school and decided to pick him up.
Shisui, having no pressing matters or personal attachments in the village, opted to accompany him for a chat.
Before leaving, however, both received stern warnings and an unexpected vacation from Haneda:
"The cell integration process isn't complete; you've only reached the preliminary stage."
"Under no circumstances should you use the Mangekyō Sharingan, especially you, Shisui!"
"Itachi, you're responsible for keeping an eye on Shisui. I don't trust him to follow the rules."
"And starting today, both of you are on a one-month vacation—no coming to work at the ANBU during this time!"
Hearing this, Shisui could only nod helplessly.
Although he found the restrictions inconvenient, Shisui knew Haneda's orders were for his own good.
Watching his workaholic "big brother" comply, Itachi couldn't help but stifle a laugh.
In the entire village, only Haneda seemed capable of keeping Shisui in line.
To Shisui, Itachi was more of a younger sibling than a peer. But Haneda's words carried absolute authority.
...
Strolling through the Death Forest, sunlight filtered through the lush green canopy, casting dappled patterns of light on the forest floor.
After spending two and a half days cooped up in the lab and being granted a month-long vacation, both Itachi and Shisui felt lighter, as though a heavy burden had been lifted.
Curious, Itachi asked:
"Haneda-ojisan once mentioned that the Sharingan's power stems from special chakra produced in the brain during moments of intense emotional stimulation."
"I remember you were on the verge of failure during the experiment, but then new chakra emerged, even surprising Haneda-ojisan and Orochimaru. What were you thinking about at the time, Shisui-nii?"
Shisui paused, turning back to look at Itachi.
"You're asking what thoughts or emotions pushed me through that critical moment, aren't you, Itachi?"
"In truth, when you were undergoing the procedure, I imagine it was incredibly painful for you too. You probably clung to something in your mind, didn't you?"
"Let's call it 'obsession.' Haneda-sama once said that every Uchiha has a streak of obsession. Looking back, I think he's right."
Shisui stopped for a moment, smiling at Itachi.
"So, what was your obsession during the procedure?"
Caught off guard by the question, Itachi felt a flicker of embarrassment. Turning his head slightly, his cheeks flushed.
"I was thinking about protecting Sasuke... and you..."
"Oh? So in your heart, I'm as important as your little brother Sasuke, huh? Hahaha—!"
Shisui burst into laughter, noticing Itachi's face grow even redder. Gently teasing him, he finally relented:
"Alright, I won't laugh anymore. Let me share my own experience."
"At that moment, I had only one thought—I wanted to change the flawed views held by others."
"Only Haneda-sama, only the Hokage of Konoha, only the leader of the Fire Nation's Will of Fire Republic, has the power to reshape this world."
"But bearing the title of Hokage and the promises of a leader, Haneda-sama shoulders an immense weight."
"I want to help him carry that burden, even if it's just a small part."
Hearing this, Itachi looked slightly displeased.
"Haneda-ojisan said it right—Shisui-nii, you're far too obsessive. You want to change others' beliefs too much, and you trust people too easily."
Shisui raised his gaze toward the sky as a lone leaf drifted gently down, landing softly in his outstretched palm.
Holding the leaf, he said quietly:
"Now that I think about it, Haneda-sama's evaluation was spot-on. I am obsessive, and perhaps I do trust people too easily."
"But this time, I won't misplace that trust again."
"My obsession will aid Haneda-sama in changing the world's prevailing ideologies and fulfilling the two Five-Year Plans."
...
Orochimaru's experiments required frequent use of Wood Release to accelerate crop growth, shortening the time needed to cultivate high-yield crops.
For Haneda, this meant dedicating eight hours daily to the task—from 9 AM to 5 PM, essentially adopting a "nine-to-five" lifestyle with no weekends.
At least Shikaku was working a brutal 7-1-5 schedule, making Haneda feel slightly better about his own situation.
Still, Haneda's main body could spend evenings having dinner with Kakashi or strolling outside. Occasionally, he'd even bump into Sasuke on his way to Haneda's house.
Most administrative duties remained outsourced to the elders and the cabinet, especially Shikaku, who tirelessly juggled Konoha's affairs while supervising the cabinet.
A month later, Orochimaru successfully cultivated a hybrid strain of super high-yield rice using a combination of three scientific techniques. The yield reached an astounding 800 kilograms per acre!
By comparison, the Fire Nation's previous highest-yielding rice could only produce 400 kilograms per acre—a twofold increase.
Once planted extensively in the southern river regions of the Fire Nation, the crops would feed over half the country's population by next year, thanks to Haneda's newly constructed transportation infrastructure.
And Orochimaru's achievements didn't stop there.
He also developed wheat strains resistant to cold, disease, and pests—perfect for the drier northern regions.
Even in the northernmost areas, where farming is limited to spring and summer, it would now be possible to achieve two harvests per year.
Transitioning from one annual harvest to two, combined with these high-yield crops, could triple the overall grain output!
Additionally, Orochimaru cultivated a mushroom species suited to wet climates, named Ox-Leg Mushrooms.
These mushrooms had a texture and flavor similar to beef and were rich in protein—far exceeding the nutritional value of meat.
Paired with grains transported from other regions, the mushrooms could meet the food demands of the rainy areas near the Land of Rain.
As for how Orochimaru managed to cultivate these breakthroughs? Haneda chalked it up to Orochimaru's seemingly otherworldly scientific prowess.
In the realm of science, it seemed there was nothing Orochimaru couldn't achieve—it was only a matter of time and effort.
Holding two bags of seeds and a pouch of spores in his hands, Haneda knew precisely what these meant.
Once distributed across the Fire Nation, these crops would eradicate hunger.
Of course, producing an abundance of food wasn't the only challenge—distribution was equally critical.
Greedy merchants might hoard or export the surplus for profit, leaving rural and remote regions still in need.
While Haneda pondered solutions to these logistical problems, Orochimaru approached him with a message from Akatsuki's leader, Pain.
Orochimaru explained:
"It's been too long since I last returned to the organization. The leader suspects I may have defected, so I need to make an appearance."
"I'll likely need to take on some assignments while I'm there. It might be a while before I return."
...